Shadow of Night (All Souls # 2) by Deborah Harkness - Book Review

Title: Shadow of Night (All Souls # 2)

Author: Deborah Harkness

Publisher: Viking

Publication Date: 10th July 2012

Pages: 584

Format: Paperback

Genre: Paranormal

Source: Bought Copy

Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.

Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens. (Goodreads Synopsis)




Having loved A Discovery of Witches, I was both keen and nervous to see what the second instalment would be like. I am happy to say that it completely lives up to its predecessor.

It was great to be back with Diane and Matthew again as they began their journey through Elizabethan England. I loved the fact Harkness allowed for the fact Diane would have language problems and it was great to see her mingle with famous figures from history - even if she never does get to quite meet that most famous of playwrights.

The pacing of this book worked well with new character introductions not slowing the action at all, and yet again I found myself frustrated when I reached the end and realised I may have a whole year to wait before I can find out what will happen next.

Overall, I found this an excellent second book in the trilogy that maintains character development and advances the story ready for the final book. I, for one, can't wait to see how this tale will end.